HOPE AND HENRIK.

CHAPTER 8.

Elijah and Klaus were having breakfast in the dining room, where Klaus is drinking orange juice and champagne and looking pleased with himself. Elijah, however, does not seem amused.

"Is something the matter, Brother? Can I fix you a drink, perhaps?" He sips his own drink with a smirk, and Elijah just rolls his eyes in annoyance. 

"Strangely enough, Klaus, I'm not in a mimosa mood." 

"Fantastic! More for me" Klaus replies jovally. 

"Let's discuss strategy, shall we, Niklaus? Just wondering if you actually have one. We can begin with Mikael's ashes. Given that they are the main ingredient in our weapon against Dahlia, would you care to tell me where they disappeared to?" Klaus sets down his drink, looking annoyed and put-out, 

Klaus smiles fakely, "Elijah! I have compelled the City's finest pastry chef for your own personal edification, and yet, you ignore my efforts in favor of needless concerns!" Rebekah enters the room, looking tired, 

"Can we stop talking so loudly?" Rebekah complains, She sees the pot of coffee and sighs in relief, "Give me that," Rebekah walks over to pour herself a glass, 

Klaus amused, "What's the matter? New witch body not up to last night's bender?" 

Rebekah rolls her eyes, "So? I had a few," She sits down at the opposite end of the table from Klaus, "It's not every day you lose your Father at the hands of your Brother. Again." 

Klaus laughs heartily, "Whoever said opportunity only knocks once, eh?" Elijah and Rebekah stare at him blankly and silently, and Klaus scoffs, "Oh, come on! We all fled Mikael's tyranny together for Centuries! I would have thought the mood this morning might be a bit more jubilant!" 

"Under normal circumstances, the annihilation of our Father would be rather commendable, Unfortunately, we have a greater threat to contend with,"  Klaus hops to his feet to pour himself another drink, as Elijah talks. 

"You know, for someone who's been invited to a celebratory breakfast, you're proving quite the buzz  kill." Klaus drolls.

 Elijah sighs deeply, "Well, Niklaus, if anything indeed has killed the..." He makes air-quotes with his fingers .. "buzz," as you say, perhaps it was because murdering Father alienated the one person who truly knows how to defeat Dahlia!" Elijah answered.

"If Freya wants to be part of this Family, she should be willing to accept us, warts and all!" Klaus announced.

"Elijah's right. Freya loved Mikael, and you've likely ruined everything." Rebekah added. 

Klaus rolls his eyes petulantly, "Pity. Whatever shall I do? "

Elijah aggravated, "Whatever you please, apparently!"

Klaus slams his hand angrily against the table,  "Do not mistake my high spirits for lack of clarity! I know full well the threat we face. And, I intend to deal with it... personally," Elijah gives him an annoyed and skeptical look, but their conversation is interrupted by the sound of high heels clicking loudly against the stone floor outside. Klaus is immediately suspicious of the noise.

 Klaus unnerved, "Someone's here,"  He quickly stands and rushes into the courtyard as Elijah and Rebekah follow behind him. Upon entering, they find Josephine, who is wearing a conspicuously placed velvet choker around her neck to hide the wounds on her throat that she sustained from Dahlia. She looks at them calmly as they approach her.

 Elijah confused, "Josephine." 

Josephine smiles, "Forgive me for calling so early, Elijah, but, I've come bearing a message from your aunt Dahlia." Elijah looks stunned, "She is owed a debt, and she means to be paid."